International Day of the Midwife 2025 Kicks Off in Lagos with Awareness Walk and Conference
Fellow Nurses Africa News Desk | 5th May 2025.
The International Day of the Midwife 2025 celebrations officially commenced this morning in Lagos , Nigeria with a vibrant awareness walk, setting the tone for a day dedicated to recognizing the crucial role of midwives. With the theme “Midwife: Critical in Every Crisis,” this year’s event highlights the indispensable contributions of midwives, especially during health emergencies and crises.
The awareness walk, which kicked off at 7:00 AM from the Ministry of Health premises, drew a lively crowd of healthcare professionals, midwives, nursing leaders, and advocates. Participants, dressed in themed T-shirts and armed with banners, marched through the streets, raising awareness about the importance of quality midwifery care in ensuring safer births and healthier communities.
Speaking to participants at the walk, many expressed pride in their profession and emphasized the urgent need for greater investment in midwifery education, welfare, and infrastructure. They also called for more public recognition and policy support to strengthen maternal and newborn health services in Nigeria.
Following the success of the morning walk, the second phase of the program—a high-level conference—is set to go ahead as scheduled at 10:00 AM at the Folarin Coker Auditorium, Staff Health Clinic, The Secretariat, Alausa, Lagos.
The conference, focusing on “Empathy in Midwifery Care; Critical to Positive Infant and Maternal Outcome,” features a distinguished lineup of speakers who are already on ground. Among them are Dr. Mrs. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser on Health to the Lagos State Governor; DNS Olusola Aketi of the Lagos State Ministry of Health and DNS Adebola Aina from Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
Other notable figures include DNS Bukola Cole, Cmdr. Christiana Adeboboye, Dr. Ruth Oshikanlu, Dr. Jumoke Ojelade, and Tosin Matthew-Akinsiku, founder of Pregnancy Lounge.
With the key stakeholders present and the energy from the morning’s awareness walk, today’s conference promises to deliver impactful discussions aimed at strengthening midwifery practice and improving maternal and infant health outcomes across Nigeria.
Stay tuned as we bring you more updates from the conference floor.
Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing. We educate, inform, and support the nursing profession.
